Punching apparatus



y 1932- H. B. GREE-NOUGH 1,858,496

PUNCHING APPARATUS Filed March 11, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet l May 17, 1932- H. B. GREENOUGH PUNCHING APPARATUS Filed March 11, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet AWE/Wm? .May 17, 1932- H. .B. GREENOUGH 1,853,496-

PUNCHING APPARATUS s Sheets-$het 3 Filed March 11.. 1930 nul Fig. 4.

' WVENZU/E Fig.

Patented May 17, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HENRY B. GREENOUGH, OF BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO UNITED SHOE MACHINERY CORPORATION, OF PATERSON, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY PUNCHING APPARATUS Application filed March 11,- 1930. Serial No. 435,001.

This invention relates to punching apparatus and is herein shown as embodied in a sole rounding machine of the type illustrated in United States Letters Patent No. 1,048,511,

granted December 31, 1912, on application of W. G. Eaton.

In United States Letters Patent No. 1,7 06,504, granted March 26, 1929, on appllcation of G. E. Warren, an improved method of shoemaking is disclosed, the practice of which requires accurate relative positioning of certain parts of a shoe as they are assembled. This end is attained by the alinement of positioning surfaces, for example, those provided by holes formed in the several parts, which surfaces are located in definite relation to characteristics of the parts such, for example, as their peripheries, the alinement of the positioning surfaces being frequently, for convenience, termed jigging and similarly such holes being commonly called jig holes.

In view of the above it is a general object of the present invention to provide improved apparatus for forming one or more positioning surfaces in either insoles or outsoles in definite relation to their characteristics or, as herein illustrated, their peripheries.

To this end, one feature of the invention comprises means, illustrated as incorporated in a sole rounding machine wherein a knife is guided by and moved relatively to a pattern against which a sole of either of the above-mentioned types is clamped thereby to trim its margin, for forming one or more positioning surfaces in the sole while the knife is operating on the sole. The means embodied in the illustrated machine for forming the positioning surfaces, herein shown as jig holes, comprises a punch and die apparatus, the die element of which is arranged to support the pattern by engagement with the heel portion thereof and in definite relation thereto. It follows from the above that by use of only the instrumentalities mentioned the positioning surfaces are formed in predetermined relation to the margin of the sole and that the formation of the positioning surfaces when made during the rounding operation, as above stated, does not entail a distinct operation, thereby greatly facilitating the manufacture of shoes requiring soles of the type referred to above. 7 j r In order to facilitate the rounding of a portion ofa sole the curvature of which changes rapidly as at the ball line on the inner side of the sole, at the toe and at the heel, sole rounding machines are commonly so constructed that the speed of the knife driving mechanism may be substantially and automatically reduced while the knife is traveling past these portions of the sole blank. As the knife approaches the outer side of the sole, however, the higher speed ofthe driving mechanism is automatically resumed if indeed it is necessary to retard the knife driving mechanism as the. knife rounds either the portion of the sole near. the ball line or the toe. The knife driving mechanism, having substantial mass and being rotated with considerable speed as the outer portion of the sole is being rou nded, has considerable kinetic energy at that time.

In view of the above, another feature (if the invention consists in means operated by the knife driving mechanism and utilizing its kinetic energy for operating the positioning surface forming means as the knife is rounding the sole at its relatively high speed. As

herein illustrated the above first mentioned means-comprises a cam fixed to the knife driving mechanismand constructed and arranged to 'operatej'the' positioning-surfaceformlng means as the knife is rounding'the outer edge of the sole.

These and other features ofthe invention I comprising certain combinations and arrangements of parts will be understood from the following description of one embodiment thereof selected forpurposes of illustration and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. lis a view in perspective illustrating.

an embodiment of the invention in a sole rounding machine;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the machine illustrated in Fig. 1 in which some parts not pertaining to the present invention have been. eliminated; i

' made in accordance with the disclosure of the above-mentioned patent is well known to those skilled in this art and thereforeonly those parts of the machine illustrated herein relating particularly to the jig hole punching apparatus will be shown and described in detail. v

By the present invention novel mechanism is provided in a sole rounding machine for forming in a sole, positioning surfaces, herein shown as and termed jig holes. By incorporating the illustrated mechanism in a sole rounding machine in a manner'which will be presently described, the clamping function of the'machine isutilized not only to facilitate the operation of rounding the sole but to hold the sole fixed for the punching-operation which, in the illustrated machine, is

performed while the outer side of the sole is being rounded.

There is indicated in Fig. 1 the usual .base

10 to which is attached acylindrical standard 12 which acts as a base for relatively fixed supports 14 and 16 for a pattern 18.

A table 20 carrying mechanism for controlling a knife 22 is rotatablysupported in the standard 12 and is arranged to berotated to carry the knife around and in contact with the -patter'nfto "trim thev'margin of a sole clamped thereagainst inconformity with the shape of the pattern. The clamping of a sole to the pattern is accomplished by means of the usual treadle mechanism, which, operating a plunger 24 slidably mounted in an arm 26 overhanging the table 20, urgesa clamp plate 28 attached to the plunger 24 toward the pattern 18' to clamp a sole blank previously laid over the pattern thereagainst.

The illustrated punch and die apparatus which is arranged to form two jig holes in the heel portion of a sole comprises a pair of punches 30 fixed in a slide 32, which punches are arranged to cooperate with complemental die elements 34 integral with the support 16.

The slide32, as shown herein, is arranged to reciprocate in a direction substantially perpendicular to the work engaging face of the pattern 18 and is guided .by a support 36 which is secured to the arm 26 by means of a bolt 38 and a plurality of set-screws 40 by means of which a very limited adjustment of the support 36, and hence the punches, may also be obtained. The slide .32 comprises a dove-tailed portion 42' arranged to engage a similarly formed guideway 44; and a running fit between the slide 42 and the guideway is insured by means of a gib 46 which may be adjusted by gib screws 48 threaded into the support 36.

The die element-s 34L of the support 16, together with the support 14, serve to locate the pattern 18 in definite relation to the punch and die apparatus as well as to support the pattern against the pressure of the clamp plate 28 and also that of the punches 30 produced during the punching operation. This pressure of the pattern against the support 16 is sustained by shoulders 50. Provision for slight longitudinal" adjustment of the sup port 16 is afforded by screws 52 which pass through slightly enlarged clearance holes in the support 16. To facilitate the removal from the die elements of pills which are pushed from the work into the die elements,- slots 54 are provided at either end of the support 16 and lead into the channels of the die elements which retain the pills until they are extruded in succession.

The slide 32 is operated to cause the punches 30 cooperating with the die elements 34 tocut jig holes in the sole blank by means of mechanism comprising a cam 56 attached to the lower side of the table 20 and a linkage connecting the cam with the slide 32. The link-:

age comprises a lever 58 supported by a fulcrum pin 60 fixed in an auxiliary frame 62 which is fixed toone side of the arm 26 by means of the bolt 38 .and several screws 64. At one end the lever 58 is operably' connected with the cam 56 by means of a cam roll '66 which is arranged for engagement within the track in the cam 56 and is rotatably supported on astud 68 fixed in the lever. To the other end of the lever 58 is connected by means: of a ball and socket joint one end 70 of an extensible link comprising a turn buckle, a central element 72 of which is connectedto the end members 70, 7 4 by means of right and left by means of a ball and socket joint to one endofai'ever 7. 8 whichis supported ,ona fulcrum pin 80 carried by two extensions 82 of the upper portion of the auxiliary frame 62. As shown in Fig. 3, the other end of the lever 78 is forked and is arranged to embrace "a bushing 84 rotatably sup-ported on a pin 86 secured to the slide 32between two ears 88 integral with the slide and between which the forked end of the lever 78 extends. Although the extent of travel of thepunches is definitely limited and is determined by the path of the cam track 56, it is now apparent that the limits of the movement of the punches may be adjusted at will by means of the extensible link connecting the levers 58 and 78.

As pointed out heretofore, it is common in sole rounding machines to provide mechanism for automatically retarding the speed of the knife driving mechanism as the knife rounds a relatively sharp corner or curvature such as that ordinarily found at the ball line on the inner edge of the sole and also in some soles at the toe and heel portions thereof. The outer edge of the sole, however, being less abruptly curve-d than any other portion of the sole edge of considerable extent, may be rounded with comparatively great speed. Since the knife driving mechanism, including the table 20, is a relatively heavy mechanism, it possesses considerable kinetic energy when it is moving rapidly, for example when the knife traverses the outer side of the sole edge, and it is advantageous to utilize the inertia of the knife driving mechanism to provide power for operating the punching mechanism. The cam 56, as illustrated, is so constructed, therefore, that the lever 58, the linkage of which it is a part, and the punches are operated while the knife is-traveling along the outer side of the sole edge.

In the operation of the machine, a sole blank is placed on the pattern 18 and is clamped thereagainst by the cam plate 28 when the operator depresses the treadle at the base of the machine, it being understood that the central element 72 of the extensible link has already been adjusted and fixed in adjusted position so that there is adequate clearance between the top of the sole as placed on the pattern 18 and the bottoms of the punches to allow the sole blank to be positioned freely on the pattern. Ihis having been done, the knife driving mechanism is put in motion, as described in the above-mentioned patent, to carry the knife about the pattern to trim the sole. During the travel of the knife about the pattern, however, and as pointed out above, the punches are operated by the cam attached to the table 20 to cut ig holes in the heel portion of the sole. It is apparent, furthermore, that since the dies 34 and the pattern 18 are relatively fixed, and since both the punching and rounding operations are completed while the sole blank is clamped fixedly against the pattern, the jig holes must always be in a definite relation with respect to the edge of the sole. By the use of such a construction as illustrated it is possible to round either insoles or outsoles as well as to provide them with positioning surfaces or ig holes without entailing a distinct punching operation or the use of any gaging means such as would he required if either operation wereto be performed after the other.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is: Y

1. In a sole rounding machine wherein a knife is guided by and driven about a pattern against which a sole is clamped, thereing rounded.

by to trimthe margin of the sole, means for forming one or more positioning surfaces in the sole while the knife is operating upon the sole.

2. In a machine for rounding soles wherein a knife is guided by and driven at different speeds about a pattern against which asole is clamped,-means for forming one or more positioning surfaces in the sole during a relatively rapid movement of theknife.

knife is guided by and driven about a pattern against which a sole is clamped, thereby to trim themargin of the sole, means forforming one or more positioningsurfaces in the heel portion of the sole while its outer edge is being rounded.

4:. In a sole rounding machine wherein a knife is guided by and driven about a pat tern against which the sole isclamped, thereby to trim the margin of the sole, means for forming jig holes in the sole while the knife is operating upon the sole.

5. In a sole rounding machine wherein a knife is guided by and driven about a pattern against which the sole is clamped, therebyto trim the margin of the sole, means for cutting jig holes in the heelportion of the solewhile its outer edge is being rounded.

6. In a sole rounding machine wherein a knife is guided by and driven about a pattern against which the sole is clamped, thereby to trim the margin ofthe sole, punches for making jig holes in thesole, and means for operating said punches while the knife is operating upon the sole. I v f 7. In a sole rounding machine-wherein a tern against which the. sole is clamped, thereby to-trim the mar in of the sole, a punch and die for cutting igholes inthe heel portion of the sole, and means for operating the punch while the outer edge of the sole is be- 8. In a sole rounding machine comprising a pattern and a knife which is guided by and driven about the pattern to round a sole, a support for the heel portion of said pattern comprising dies arranged to extend to the work engaging surface thereof, means for clamping a sole against said pattern, punches arranged to cooperate with said dies to form jig holes in the sole, and means for operating said punches while the sole is being rounded.

9. In a sole rounding machine comprising a' pattern against which a' sole is clamped, a knife adapted to be guided by the pattern, driving mech anism for transferring the point of contact of the knife with the pattern thereabout to round the sole on the pattern, a support for the heel portion of the pattern comprising dies arranged to extend to the work engaging surface thereof, punches arranged.

75 3. In a sole rounding machine wherein a 7 15 'nections between said punch and said driving mechanism for operating said punches to'form the jig holes as-theknifeis rounding the outer edge of the sole.

10. In a sole rounding machine comprising a pattern against which a sole is clamped and knife driving mechanism for transferring the point of contact of the knife with the pattern thereabout thereby to cause thesole on the pattern to be rounded, means for punching jig holes in thesole comprising a punch anddie, means on said knife driving mechanism for operating said punch as the knife is rounding the outer edge of the sole, andconpunch IlV'lIlg' means.

11.111 a sole rounding machine comprising a pattern against which a sole is clamped,

a knife, driving mechanism for transferring the point of contact of the knife with the pattern thereabout thereby to cause thesole on the pattern to be rounded, means for punching holes in the sole comprising a punch and die, a cam carried by said knife driving mechanism constructed and arrangedto operate said'punching means toform the jig holes in the sole during the rounding movement of the knife, and connections betweensaid punching means and said cam.

12. In a sole rounding machine wherein a knife is guided'by and driven about a pattern against which a sole isclamped, thereby'to trim'the margin of the sole, means comprising apunch-ancl' die for forming jig holes in the heel portion of the sole,a slide for suportin said unches a rran 'ed'for movement 23 b substantially perpendicularly to the plane of the' sole,'a cam-for operating said slide to cause the 'jig'h'olestobe punched in the sole, saidcam beingrotatable about anaxis substantially perpendicular to the sole and connections between said' cam and said slide.

13. Inua sole rounding machine comprising a: pattern against'which asole is clamped, a knife, driving 7 mechanism for transferring the point-of'contact of the knife with the pattern thereabout thereby to cause thesole'on the pattern to be rounded, means for punching jig-holes in the heelportion of the sole'comprising punches and a cooperating die arranged to supportthe heel portionof the pattern, a cam fixed to said knife driving mechanism arrangedto operate said punches as the knife is rounding the'outer edge of the sole,

connections between said punches and said cam comprising levers connected at one oftheir ends to the punches, a cam, and an extensible link connecting the other ends of the levers whereby the limit of the movement of the punches may be controlled.-

ln testimony whereof I have signed my name a to 1 this specification. HENRY B.'GREENOUGH; 

